Advisory - Unauthorized supplements seized from Atomik Nutrition in Châteauguay may pose serious health risks

OTTAWA, Feb. 10, 2017 /CNW/ -

Issue
Health Canada is advising Canadians that it has seized unauthorized health products promoted as workout, weight loss and dietary supplements from Atomik Nutrition at 102-90 Boul. Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Châteauguay, QC (see table below). The products are labelled to contain various drugs, including prescription and controlled drugs, which may pose serious risks to the health of Canadians.

Who is affected

• Consumers who have bought or used these products.

Affected products

What consumers should do

• Stop using these products. Consult your health care professional if you have used these products and have health concerns.
• Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit DIN, DIN-HM or NPN. You can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada's Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
• Report adverse events to health products to Health Canada by calling toll-free at 1?866?234?2345, or by reporting online, by mail or by fax.
• Report complaints about health products to Health Canada by calling toll-free at 1?800?267?9675, or complete an online complaint form.

Background
1,3-Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) is a drug that is not authorized for use in Canada. Side effects include high blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain, stroke and psychiatric effects.

Yohimbine (also contained in Rauwolfia extract) is a prescription drug and should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. The use of drugs containing yohimbine (either as yohimbine hydrochloride or yohimbe bark extract) may result in serious adverse reactions, particularly in people with high blood pressure, or heart, kidney or liver disease. Side effects associated with yohimbine include increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, dizziness, tremors, headache, nausea and sleep disorders. It should not be used by children, or pregnant or nursing women.

Rauwolfia is a prescription drug that can be used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. People with heart conditions or psychiatric disorders should receive close medical supervision when using it because it can make certain conditions, such as depression, worse. Common side effects include tiredness, sleepiness, depression, nasal obstruction and breathlessness. Rauwolfia should not be used by children, or pregnant or nursing women.

Synephrine and caffeine, when combined, may cause serious adverse effects. Side effects include dizziness, tremors, headaches and irregularities in heart rate. Bitter Orange Extract is a source of synephrine.

DHEA is a controlled drug that can cause higher than normal levels of female and male hormones in the body and could increase the risk of prostate, breast, ovarian, and other hormone-sensitive cancers. Potential side effects include serious cardiovascular disease, and changes in fertility and sperm production. DHEA should be avoided by individuals with a history of abnormal heart rhythms, blood clotting disorders, liver disease and those who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Mebolazine (Dimethazine) is a controlled drug. Potential side effects include serious liver and kidney damage, as well as psychological changes, decreased sperm count and high cholesterol.

What Health Canada is doing
Health Canada seized the products from the retail location. Should additional retailers or distributors be identified, Health Canada will take appropriate action and inform Canadians as necessary.

For more information
Stay connected with Health Canada and receive the latest advisories and product recalls using social media tools.

To learn more about natural health products and other self-care products, visit Canada.ca/selfcare-products.

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SOURCE Health Canada